Effects of Maternal Deprivation and Complex Housing on Rat Social Behavior in Adolescence and Adulthood.

ABSTRACT: Early life context and stressful experiences are known to increase the risk of developing psychiatric disorders later in life, including disorders with deficits in the social domain. Our study aimed to investigate the influence of early life environment on social behavior in a well-controlled animal model. To this end we tested the effects of maternal deprivation (MD) on rat social play behavior in adolescence and social interaction in adulthood. Additionally, we provided a stimulating environment during adolescence (complex housing) as a potential intervention to diminish the effects of early life stress. Male and female Wistar rats were deprived from their mother for 24 h on postnatal day 3 (PND 3) or were left undisturbed. Complex housing started 5 days after weaning and consisted of ho

SUBMITTER: Kentrop J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6141926 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature